Additional murder charge filed against stepmom

DIXON – Tiffany D. Fassler, charged in the death of her young stepson, was indicted Friday on an additional charge of first-degree murder.

The 37-year-old Dixon woman now is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and four counts of aggravated battery of a child in the death of Colton Fassler, 7.

The six-count indicted handed up Friday supercedes the previous charges against her.

Defendants often are charged with multiple counts of the same crime, the legal elements of which vary enough to give the judge or jury options when considering a verdict.

Fassler remains free after posting $20,000 of a $200,000 bond. If convicted, she faces 20 to 60 years in prison on the murder charge. Aggravated battery of a child carries 6 to 30 years. Fassler will be back in court Feb. 20.

Prosecutors say Fassler kicked Colton Fassler in the chest on Dec. 30, 2010, causing him to hit his head on a metal vanity and resulting in serious brain damage.

Seven months later, she was indicted on two counts of aggravated battery. Colton died Nov. 11, 2011, from his injuries. In August, a Winnebago County coroner’s jury ruled the boy’s death a homicide.